The Overcomer

 Recently I preached a message on how to be an overcomer. John writes in John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  

   John starts in this scripture to teach you five things.  First, you are God’s child. He loves, cares, protects, helps and guides you. You are His because of Jesus Christ and your acceptance of Him. When someone has a real relationship with God God’s promise I Matt 28:20 is that he will never leave or forsake you.

   Secondly, you are from God. When you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior you joined His family. You have all the rights and privileges of being His Son. All of heaven is at your disposal and every benefit of being a joint heir with Jesus Christ is yours. You are a child of God.  Being part of the family of God is so wonderful because you truly have abundant and eternal life,

   Thirdly, you have overcome them. Who are they? The World with its passion, pride and possessions no longer have value, power, and desire for you. You know all you have to do is seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added to you. You know that prosperity and health come from God and begin from the inside out. You know your flesh and sinful nature will destroy you if you do not master it through Christ. You know that saying no to yourself and your selfish ways is your way to victory. I will in a minute become more practical in this area. Lastly, the devil. Jesus destroyed his works on the cross. No demon of hell is greater than Jesus who lives in you. What a wonderful feeling to not live in fear, anxiety, stress and worry. John 8:32 states, “Who the Son sets free is free indeed. There is nothing like living free and life to the maximum. 

   Fourthly, He one who is in you is greater.  When you are a Christian and true believer in Jesus Christ,  you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. You are the dwelling place of God. You have resurrection power. You have the anointing, enablement, authority, power, dominion, victory and freedom in Christ. You have the armor, weapons and protection to beat the enemy every time. When you submit to God and you resist the devil he has to flee that is what James said, in James 4:7.  

   Fifthly, than He who is in the world. The devil may own this world and people in it but He does not own you. You are not of this world. Heaven is your home and destination. You are no longer subject to the power and authority of this world. You are looking for a city whose maker and builder is God. You are a pilgrim passing through not a settler. The devil has no right, authority or power over you. Remember that.

   Being an overcomer means that no matter what you face you have divine help. Being an overcomer means that you do not quit. You keep going because you know the at the end of life a great prize and reward is waiting for you. Heaven for the overcomer is the ultimate prize but here on earth there is the satisfaction of knowing you have the drive and attitude to succeed. Let me close with this story.

   George Frederick Handel was dogged with misfortune. He had debt upon debt, despair upon despair. He had a cerebral hemorrhage and was paralyzed on his right side. For four years he could neither walk nor write. The doctors gave up on him. He wrote several operas, but again he fell in debt. At age 60 he thought his life was finished. Then he was challenged by a friend to write a sacred oratorio. He read the Scriptures and decided to work on the Messiah. For 24 days, without eating a crumb, he worked fanatically to produce the Messiah, which many today consider the greatest oratorio ever written. Be an overcomer.An overcomer